Antananarivo, often called Tana, is the capital and largest city of Madagascar, set in the island's central highlands. It is the political, economic and cultural centre of the country, and for many visitors it is the first real taste of Madagascar's character.
What to expect
The city is built across a series of hills, and its houses climb their slopes in colourful rows. Walking through the upper and lower districts gives a sense of how the city has grown over the centuries, with the layout of the streets rising and falling with the land.
Its markets are busy and lively, a good place to watch daily life unfold and to see the goods that people in the highlands buy and sell.
A blend of traditions
Antananarivo brings together Malagasy traditions and French colonial heritage. You can see this mix in the architecture, the language spoken in the streets, and the rhythm of city life. It makes the capital a useful starting point for understanding the wider island before travelling to other regions.
Planning a visit
- Allow time to walk the hillside neighbourhoods at a relaxed pace.
- Spend a morning or afternoon in the markets, where the atmosphere is at its most energetic.
- Use the city as a base to plan trips into the surrounding highlands and onward to other parts of Madagascar.
Known also as Tananarive, the city rewards visitors who are curious about its streets, its people and the mix of cultures that shape it.